Page 114 of Crossing Lines

“Listen,” he sputters, wringing his hands.

“You’rebehind the attack on my warehouse two years ago,” Chavonne rasps, her voice cracking. “Swindling money to an off-shore account.” She walks around the desk. “My accountant should have caught it, but that scum is in bed with you!” He staggers back when she moves closer. “Sabotaging materials before they reach the warehouse.” She shakes her head. “The list goes on. You’ve been hurting my brand behind my back while acting like a friend in my face.”

Wren draws a nervous breath, his hand trembling as he touches his forehead. “Chavonne, I—I gave everything toLa Montesince the day you launched. You gladly accepted my creative assistance but never offered memyline. I deserve that and more for everything I’ve done. So yes, I may have gone a little overboard by sabotaging some things. Can you blame me for losing it?”

“Bastard!” The loud smack across his face ricochets in the office. She jams her finger into his chest, eyes teary and red with hurt. “It’s over, you sleazy fuck.”

“Please,” he sputters while touching his cheek. “I’ll pay back everything. I can’t go to prison.”

“Oh, you will. I’ll make sure my lawyers bury you.” She presses the security button next to the door.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs and looks at me. “Davia…”

“How could you do that to me?” I finally ask. “You acted like you supported me.”

“It felt like you were starting to take my place,” he says. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

The security guard rushes into the office. “Ms. La Monte?”

“Take this trash out of here and watch him until the cops arrive.”

Wren starts to panic. “Chavonne! Don’t do this! I can’t go to prison! Chavonne!”

“Come on,” the security guard grunts, pulling him out of the office.

Once they leave, Chavonne walks back to her chair, drops down, and allows the tears to fall. “I can’t believe it. I trusted him. Wren has been by my side since the beginning. God.”

“He put on a great show to all of us. That asshole.”

She sniffles and looks at me. “I’m sorry he did that to you. Sorry for ever doubting you.” Wiping her face, she slumps back in the chair with a sharp breath. “It’s a relief we’ll be able to turn things around for your launch.”

“Yeah. So, does Iree have her job back?”

She nods. “As long as she wants it. After the way I yelled and fired her, it wouldn’t surprise me if she declined to return.”

At least you didn’t fight her.

Knocking disrupts my focus. I put the pencil down and walk over to check the camera, becoming anxious when I see Jamir. He appears defeated, shoulders hunched.

I open the door halfway, asking, “What are you doing here?”

He lifts his sad gaze to me. “Did you know my dad was seeing your mom?”

“No, Jamir. I found out last Thursday.”

“The night he confessed to my mom and me,” he rasps and runs his hand over his face. “Can I come in, please?”

“Jamir—”

“I’m sorry for scaring you. I’ll stay calm. Please let me in, Davia. I only want to talk.”

I open the door wider, inviting him into my apartment.

He briefly looks around before facing me. “You were right. Things hadn’t felt good between us for a while. And you should know that… I’ve cheated on you. I lied about my uncle’s sixtieth and spent the weekend with someone.”

“Wow.” I fold my arms, feeling like a fool.

“It was only one woman. On and off for the past two years. She doesn’t mean anything.”

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